Why cite?

Citing your sources tells the reader of your paper or project the following:

1. I am an ethical researcher--I don't steal other people's ideas, words, or/and images.2. Go ahead, check out my sources for more information--they are credible and interesting.3. Look how much research I've done on this project--I've taken the time to become an expert.4. The experts and the evidence support my thinking.

Citing your sources is not just an English teacher "thing"; it's the way the world works.

Books or Other Printed Material?

I am using printed material if...- I am actually holding paper in my hand.- I did not print it from the computer (there is no URL at the bottom of the page).If you are using a magazine or newspaper article you found online, you'll need to start your citation with magazine/newspaper citation type, then choose online delivery.Choose book, magazine, newspaper, journal or reference citation type. Click on the tab above to walk through the steps.

Website?

You are using a website if....

You used a search engine like Google, Yahoo, or Yippy to find the source.

The source may/most likely has advertisements on it somewhere.

You can copy and paste the URL of the source into a Word Doc then click on it to get back to that exact source.

Different sources have different looks depending upon who created the page.